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Fixed Pacing vs Variable Pacing

One choice for distance learning is the question of the time for learning a given amount of material. Traditional schools and universities have almost entirely lock-step, fixed paced courses, courses that for all students occupy the same amount of time. So courses outside of distance learning at present are fixed paced courses. That is, there is a given period of time when the course happens, whether one is looking at third grade, or at universities. But not all students learn at the same rate, so other possibilities should be considered. Fixed pace courses ignore one important aspect of student differences.

There have always been some exceptions to this. Thus in schools where there has been enough in the way of teachers and faculty to allow individual attention, people have been allowed to move at a pace much more characteristic of each individual. As, however, we have moved to larger numbers of students, we have less choice of pacing.

The existence of modern interactive technology allows us the possibility of making variable paced courses more common, both in schools and distance learning. Hence it would seem that future distance learning courses are likely to move more in the direction of variable pacing. It is a mistake to assume that everyone will learn at the same pace, given the vast cognitive differences between different individuals, and the vast differences in backgrounds and interests between different individuals.

With variable pacing the starting point can also be variable. Learning can begin and end at any time. The emphasis is on keeping learning fixed, not time for learning. The situation may change from traditional education to continuing education.